News Archive
PRESS RELEASE – 10/11/2006
Comedy, Carols and Cheer all part of the festive programme
Dundee City Centre will play host to an entertainment extravaganza this Sunday (19th Nov) as comic king Craig Hill comperes this years Christmas lights switch-on celebrations.
The festivities, sponsored by the City of Discovery Campaign and expected to bring several thousand people to the city centre streets, will spread city centre wide with a mixture of interactive, musical and comedic entertainment designed for the whole family to enjoy. Programmed activities will commence at 10am with the fourth day of trading for the Continental Market.
Funny man Craig Hill will appear throughout the afternoon to warm the crowd through laughter as he takes his characteristic, cheeky swipe at modern pop-cultural icons. Described as a natural performer Craig Hill is one of the most sought-after comics in Britain.
A strong musical element is in place to fill all tastes. Headlining the bill will be Contemporary Celtic folk violinist and singer Laura McGhee and Up and coming Dundee band The Law with a set from their new album ‘Watchin’ the paint dry’.
A horse drawn sleigh, dancing elves (Dorwin Stage School), face painters, balloon modellers, stilt walker, glowstick seller, magician, Splash the Clown, Duncan the Dragon and a Princess will be spreading Christmas cheer to both young and old. Meanwhile Claypotts Castle primary school and Dundee Junior Showtime will be taking audiences to a winter wonderland by singing Christmas carols.
The Christmas message presented by Lord Provost John Letford will be followed by a light spectacular. The crowds will be dazzled as Dundee’s Christmas illuminations are switched on and a rooftop pyrotechnics show fills the evening sky.
Chair of the City of Discovery Campaign Lord Provost John Letford, said “I am looking forward to the day’s festivities and taking part in the fun around the city centre.”
“This years programme of events has a great mix of entertainment for all the family with Santa Claus, Duncan the Dragon and Splash the Clown meeting all the youngsters, while music fans will appreciate the unique sounds of Laura McGhee and The Law.”
“Every year the Dundee Christmas Lights Switch-on programmed activities create a real sense of festive cheer and excitement, helping everyone involved get into the Christmas spirit and this year is no different.”
Dundee City Council economic development convener Councillor Joe Morrow said, "I am sure that many thousands of people will come to the city centre to enjoy this family friendly Christmas lights switch-on.
"Dundee is building a real reputation as a regional retail centre and this type of quality event highlights the city’s strengths.
"I am pleased to hear that local outlets have been reporting excellent business recently and we are all looking to build on that with a busy festive season.
"City Centre Manager Lorna McKenzie sees the city centre as a perfect location to host festive activities – pulling together Dundee city and regional residents and visitors to enjoy a day of fun and laughter. She said, “We love the mix of interactive and staged entertainment headlined by the sparkling talents of Craig Hill.
She said, “We are also very pleased to involve local stage schools and primary children to share with us in celebrating the magic of Christmas.”
PRESS RELEASE – 10/11/2006
Dundee mountain film festival rocks!!
A blend of local, Scottish and international talent will again be strong elements of this years Dundee Mountain Film Festival programme running November 24th and 25th in the Bonar Hall, Dundee.
The UK's longest running Mountain Film Festival – in its 24th year – will host Fife-based international award winning climbing and adventure cameraman Keith Partridge, who will take his audience on a personal journey through the making of over 50 films with stories from behind the scenes and video clips from series like The Edge, Touching the Void, The Climbers, Top Gear and many more.
Keith’s presentation is just one highlight in a festival programme that tackles everything from BASE jumping to modern desert crack climbing, kayaking to ski-mountaineering.
Another local talent, climber Jen Randall who is currently studying Time Based Art at Duncan and Jordanstone College of Art, will premiere her first climbing film at the festival. The film, ‘Brick and Mortar Disorder’, features Jen and her friend’s bouldering in and around the City of Discovery.
Making a welcome return this year is John Dunn with his presentation ‘Coburg Island and Beyond’ looking at his Arctic Adventures as explorer and photographer, sharing stories and outstanding images from his recent skiing expeditions, with the focus on his 2005 journey to one of Canada’s least visited arctic islands.
The two-day festival was first held in the City of Discovery in 1983 and has built strong links with similar events through the International Alliance for Mountain Film. As a result award-winning films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour will again feature in this year’s line-up.
Programme Director Alastair Stewart said, “The mountain film festival programme for 2006 is a magnet for lovers of outdoor pursuits with paragliding, extreme mountain biking, Himalayan expeditions, polar exploration, natural history and other extreme sports all featuring heavily in this year’s programme. I am also excited about the stories behind the film-making of some of the greatest climbing films and television series.”
“There will be personal appearances and presentations by a number of leading climbers of the day, a world film premiere catching the City of Discovery in a light I’m sure none of us have seen before and a host of other breathtaking film showings including the world record waterfall descent and the worst crash ever.”
Lord Provost John Letford, chairman of the City of Discovery Campaign which sponsors the event, said, “The festival has grown to become the premier event of its kind in Scotland and has proven to be a significant draw for lovers of the great outdoors. Many who attend the festival come from out with Dundee and those visitors provide a welcome boost to the local economy.”
Programme highlights at Dundee Mountain Film Festival 2006 include:
Karen Darke ‘By Hands and Feet Across Greenland’ – Grantown on Spey’s Karen Darke and five friends ski across Greenland in May 2006 – nothing remarkable except Karen is paralysed and propelled herself with arms only in a sit-ski!
Chic Scott ‘The Eiger Sanction’ – Long before Hollywood jumped on the climbing bandwagon with films such as ‘Cliffhanger’ and ‘Vertical Limit’, Canadian climber Chic Scott was suspended high above terra firma on the forbidding North Face of the Eiger, The year was 1975 and the film was ‘The Eiger Sanction’. Shot on location in Switzerland, it starred the legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood;
Scotland’s own Ian R. Mitchell and Jack Law ‘The Real Mrs Brown’ – The trail of Queen Victoria in the Highlands with a recital of invigorating songs with opportunities for communal singing;
Return2Sender Parallelojams – Produced by Peter Mortimer & Timmy O’Neill, Directed by Timmy O’Neill. An award-winning look at the challenges and characters of modern desert crack climbing, featuring hilarious commentary by Timmy O’Neill.
A photographic exhibition and trade fair will also be running alongside the programme over the two days.
Tickets are now on sale available from Tiso, Blacks and Avertical World. For further ticket and general information about Dundee Mountain Film Festival 2006 please visit www.dundeemountainfilm.org.uk.
PRESS RELEASE – 19/11/2006
Christmas lights switch-on
A time for all the family was the theme as Dundee city centre played host to festivities leading up to the city’s Christmas lights switch-on on Sunday 19th November.
A crowd of thirteen thousand were treated to a variety of interactive and staged entertainment headlined by comedy star Craig Hill, Celtic violinist and singer Laura McGhee and local band The Law.
The entertainment extravaganza started at 10am with the Continental Market opening for its fourth day of trade in the city centre. Santa Claus was then En route to his grotto with competition winner 6 year old Elle McLeod as they rode in Santa’s sleigh down the Murraygate and High Street to City Square followed by his dancing elves from Dorwin Stage School.
The day’s events, sponsored by the City of Discovery Campaign, continued as Santa greeted some of his younger fans and crowds were treated to a host of musical interludes and circus style entertainment. The performers made their way through the crowds to ensure the day involved all who had come to marvel at the main events.
Headline act funny man Craig Hill whipped the crowds into hysterics, during his seven short performances throughout the afternoon, combining his keen comic eye, musical ear and outstanding voice to maximum effect.
Contemporary Celtic violinist and singer Laura McGhee continued to warm the gathered assembly with her unique blend of funky fiddling during her two appearances on the main stage. Up and coming Dundee band The Law got the masses into a frenzy with a set from their new album ‘Watchin’ the paint dry.’
It was then time for the switch-on which was carried out by Lord Provost John Letford, Craig Hill, Santa and winner of the Evening Telegraph’s competition, 10 year old Laura Turnbull to illuminating effect. Lighting the evening sky Dundee’s Christmas illuminations were officially turned on simultaneously with a rooftop pyrotechnic spectacular.
Chair of the City of Discovery Campaign Lord Provost John Letford, who gave the Christmas message, said that he was delighted to see so many people taking part in the celebrations and felt a real sense of community spirit.
He said, “The core of this years scheduled programme totally reflects the meaning of the season – a time to spend with the family, share in the joy of others and keep the magic of Christmas alive.”
“The day has been made one to remember for the two youngsters who won competitions to be part of the festivities. I’m sure Elle McLeod and Laura Turnbull will never forget the day they rode in Santa’s sleigh and illuminated the city centre to spectacular effect.”
Dundee City Council economic development convener Councillor Joe Morrow said, "I am pleased that Dundee's festive shopping season has been launched with such an excellent event.”
" Dundee's retail sector is a key element of the city economy and I am sure that our reputation as a quality destination has reached many more people through the switch-on festivities.”
"I am sure our retailers are looking forward to yet another record-breaking Christmas."
City Centre Manager Lorna McKenzie sees the event as an opportunity for city centre businesses, visitors and the wider community to come together to share in the celebrations of the festive season. She said, “The interactive format mixed with the staged acts that is being adopted this year really gives a focus to the event while getting everyone in and around the city centre involved.”
“Craig Hill, Laura McGhee and The Law all gave great and very diverse performances catering for all tastes while Santa, the Princess, Duncan the Dragon, Splash! the Clown and the magician really excited the younger members of the audience keeping the magical spirit of Christmas alive.”